The girls’ basketball team from Thomas More Prep – Marian was able to overcome an 11-point halftime deficit to Russell Friday night and get a 58-49 win in the semifinals of the Class 3A Lyons Sub-State.
The Lady Monarchs (19-3) held a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter but then got outscored in the second period 16-4.
What made things worse for TMP was the problem of Jenna Lang (TMP’s second-leading scorer) committing four fouls in the second quarter. With Lang on the bench to start the second half, Russell (15-7) took a 32-20 lead with a bucket from Janna Schulte. At that point the Lady Monarchs went on a 14-1 run to regain the lead after a 3-pointer by Heather Ruder. Ruder finished the night with a game-high 21 points.
With time winding down in the third quarter, Russell’s Madison Beagley hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Broncos a 36-34 lead going into the final quarter.
Things got really interesting in the fourth quarter when TMP’s Rachel Jacobs fouled out with over four minutes to play and TMP only leading by four points. TMP, who defeated Russell by 18 back in January, would hit enough free throws down the stretch to avoid the upset.
Jacobs, before fouling out, ended with nine points and unofficially 13 rebounds. Lang, playing the entire second half with four fouls, finished with 14 points.
TMP has now made it 12-straight wins, and advance to the championship game of the Lyons Sub-State. The Lady Monarchs will take on the Beloit Lady Trojans Saturday evening. Beloit, the #3 seed, defeated Hoisington 52-38 in the other semifinal contest. Tip-off from Lyons is set for 6 PM and our coverage will begin at 5:40 with the Fort Hays Auto Sales Pregame Show.
Highlights:
Alan Billinger’s Post-game Interview: